How Is Molluscum Contagiosum Treated
Treatment will depend on your symptoms, your age, and your general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.
In most cases, the bumps will heal without treatment over 2 to 12 months. In rare cases, they last 3 to 5 years.
You may have treatment such as:
- Removal of the bumps. Your healthcare provider may do this by freezing them , or using a small blade, a curette, electric sparks, or lasers.
- Medicine on the skin. This may help the bumps clear up more quickly. Blistering medicines or medicine that helps stimulate the immune system may help.
Talk with your healthcare providers about the risks, benefits, and possible side effects of all treatments.
How Long Does It Take To Get Rid Of Keratosis Pilaris
Even with treatment, it may take time for keratosis pilaris bumps to go away. If you follow your treatment plan, you should start seeing improvement within four to six weeks.
Even without treatment, most cases of keratosis pilaris start to clear around your mid-20s, and usually completely disappears by age 30.
How Is Molluscum Treated
Most of the time, molluscum clears up on its own without treatment. Each bump goes away in about 23 months. New bumps can appear as old ones go away, so it can take 6-12 months for molluscum to fully go away.
Sometimes, doctors remove the bumps or help them go away more quickly. To do this, they can:
- Freeze the bumps off.
- Scrape or cut the bumps off.
- Put a chemical on the bumps to make the body fight them away faster.
- Put medicine on the bumps or give medicine to swallow.
Many doctors don’t recommend these treatments for kids, though. That’s because they can be painful and burn, blister, stain, or scar the skin. When deciding to treat a rash, they consider where the bumps are and if they’re causing itching, pain, or other problems.
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Causes Of Lichen Nitidus
Doctors aren’t sure what causes lichen nitidus. It’s an inflammatory reaction, but the trigger isn’t clear. Some experts think it might be connected to an underlying immune condition in some people, but there isn’t any definitive research on the issue. Occasionally, people with lichen nitidus have other conditions, such as vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, or erythema nodosum. There is no confirmed connection between those conditions.
Lichen nitidus is more common in children and young adults, but it can happen at any age. Men and boys get lichen nitidus more often than women or girls do. It is also slightly more common among Black people in the US.
Lichen nitidus isn’t infectious, so there is no risk that you will pass it along to other people. Developing lichen nitidus does not put you at increased risk for other skin conditions, such as skin cancer.
âIf you suspect you have lichen nitidus, you should talk to your doctor to confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor will do an exam and ask you questions about your health. They may also take a biopsy of the bumps on your skin to rule out other skin conditions.
Who Does Syringoma Affect
Syringomas can affect anyone but theyre most common among:
- Women and people assigned female at birth.
- People diagnosed with Down syndrome, or diabetes.
- People who have a fair skin tone.
- Adolescents going through puberty.
- Adults between the ages of 40 and 60.
Eruptive syringomas, which are a type of generalized syringoma, most often affect people with a darker skin tone.
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When To See A Doctor About Molluscum Contagiosum
Some circumstances may make you a good candidate for treatment:
- your lesions are large and located on your face and neck
- you have an existing health problem that causes skin effects, like atopic dermatitis
- you have concerns about spreading the virus
- youve received treatment or acquired a health problem that reduces your immune activity
Folliculitis Can Be Irritating But It’ll Oftentimes Resolve Itself
Folliculitis is an inflammation around a hair follicle that’s often partially due to an ingrown hair. This condition often appears as a small, red, inflamed bump that can resemble acne. Fortunately, most cases of folliculitis resolve themselves in time.
Dr. Susan Massick, a dermatologist with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told INSIDER that if you experience this bump, try to avoid irritating it further and make an effort to clean it with an anti-bacterial wash.
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Keratosis Pilaris Is A Harmless And Fairly Common Condition
A condition called keratosis pilaris is somewhat common in adults. Hart explained that KP causes rough, small bumps to appear on one’s skin, most often on the upper arms and sometimes on the face, thighs, or back. Per the American Academy of Dermatology , these bumps are just “plugs of dead skin cells.”
This condition is generally harmless but there are some topical treatments that can help smooth out the rough texture of the bumps and decrease skin redness.
Causes And Types Of Raised Skin Bumps
The most common causes of raised skin bumps are harmless and do not require medical treatment unless you have discomfort. Here are some of the possible reasons for raised skin bumps:
Less commonly, raised skin bumps are caused by more serious conditions that require treatment. Certain bacterial and viral infections cause bumps and will only get worse if they go undiagnosed and untreated. These serious conditions include:
- chickenpox, a common childhood virus characterized by red, itchy bumps that form all over the body
- impetigo, a bacterial skin infection common in young children that is highly contagious and results in reddish blisters that ooze and develop a honey-colored crust
- MRSA infection, an illness triggered by a staph bacteria that commonly lives on the skin, causing a swollen, painful bump with a white center
- scabies, a skin infestation caused by a tiny mite called Sarcoptes scabiei, producing an itchy, pimple-like rash
Other types of raised skin bumps can be caused by skin cancer. There are several types of skin cancer, all requiring medical management and treatment:
Most skin bumps are harmless and arent cause for concern. However, you should see your doctor if:
- skin bumps change or worsen in appearance, or last for a long time
- you are in pain or they cause discomfort
- you dont know the cause of the bumps
- you suspect you have an infection or skin cancer
The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you dont already have a doctor.
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Why Holes And Clusters
Research into trypophobia is limited. Among the first to study the fear were psychological scientists Arnold Wilkins and Geoff Cole of the University of Essex in Colchester, England. In a paper published in 2013, they presented the theory that many of the worlds most dangerous animals, such as alligators, crocodiles, snakes and poisonous fish, have clusters of bumps and holes on their skin. Perhaps the aversion could be some sort of innate flight-fight response to dangerous or poisonous animals?
University of Kent postgraduate researcher Tom Kupfer had a different notion. Those images look to me like they would be perceived as cues to infectious disease or parasites, said Kupfer, who studies the emotion of disgust and the role it plays in our daily lives. I wouldnt be surprised if this is actually a disorder based on disgust and disease avoidance.
Home Remedies To Treat Itchy Red Bumps On Your Skin
Some itchy red bumps stay for a short time some others tend to stay for longer periods. In fact, some skin infections can last a lifetime.
While most rashes can be treated with over-the-counter products like antihistamines and hydrocortisone creams, simple home remedies can relieve symptoms and clear up the unsightly rashes in no time.
When you get a nasty skin rash, here are some remedies you can try out.
- Apply a cold compress on the region of the infection will help reduce the swelling and the urge to itch.
- Using a good moisturizer will prevent your skin from breaking. Apply your moisturizer twice a day immediately after you take your bath.
- Apply hydrocortisone, calamine lotion, or any other anti-itch cream to reduce the urge to itch. Most topical creams are readily available in drug stores or pharmacies.
- If you have sensitive skin, using harsh soaps and detergents could worsen the itchy skin. Instead, use skin-sensitive soaps or unscented detergents.
- Avoid scratching. The itch can be intolerable most times. However, scratching your rash can damage your skin or spread it from one area of your body to another. When you feel itchy, you can distract yourself by exercising or playing a game.
- If your body reacts to extreme temperatures, you can take a lukewarm bath to avoid triggering a rash.
- Avoid substances that irritate your skin.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Molluscum Contagiosum
If you or your child comes into contact with the M. contagiosum virus, you may not see symptoms of infection for up to 6 months. These symptoms usually take between 2 and 7 weeks to show from the moment you acquire the molluscum contagiosum virus.
You may notice the appearance of a small group of painless lesions. These bumps can appear alone or in a patch of as many as 20. Theyre usually:
- very small, shiny, and smooth in appearance
- flesh-colored, white, or pink
Most presentations of molluscum contagiosum heal without treatment. But some people experience complications, including:
- impetigo, or a skin infection that develops after scratching the lesions
- conjunctivitis, an eye infection that may develop if lesions occur on the eyelid
- disseminated secondary eczema, which might occur as a result of overreaction to the virus by your immune system
- widespread molluscum contagiosum that are larger than usual, often on the face
- sudden scarring with a pitted appearance, either spontaneously or due to lesion removal surgery
What To Look For
A furuncle may begin as a benign-looking bump on your skin, like a pimple. However, as the infection worsens, the boil can become hard and painful.
The boil contains pus as a result of your bodys attempt to fight the infection. Pressure may build, which may cause the furuncle to burst and release its fluids.
The pain may be at its worst right before a furuncle ruptures and will most likely improve after it drains.
According to the Mayo Clinic, furuncles start out small but can increase in size to over 2 inches. The skin around the infected hair follicle may become red, swollen, and tender. Scarring is also possible.
The development of several boils that connect in the same general area of your body is called a carbuncle. Carbuncles may be more associated with symptoms like a fever and chills. These symptoms may be less common with a single boil.
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Periorificial Dermatitis Can Cause Breakouts Around The Nose And Mouth
Periorificial dermatitis is a skin condition that causes clusters of small, itchy, and sometimes sore red bumps on the face. When the condition affects the lower half of the face, it may be known by the more specific term of perioral dermatitis.
Normally, periorificial dermatitis will go away once you stop using topical steroids or the irritating product. Sometimes dermatologists will also prescribe an oral antibiotic, such as tetracycline, or a topical antibiotic, like metronidazole.
Staph Infections Can Mimic Acne
Staph infections are caused by staphylococcus bacteria. These germs are usually harmless and normally found on the skin of healthy people, but can cause infection if they find their way into open cuts or scratches.
Dr. Soni told Insider that staph infections often cause pimple-like boils, bumps, and redness that can be easily mistaken for acne. Unlike normal pimples, staph infections can process to pus-filled blisters or large patches of irritated skin.
Though most staph infections are minor and will clear up on their own, some can lead to life-threatening conditions such as septicemia or an infection of the inner lining of the heart. If you suspect you have a staph infection or have a skin lesion that isn’t getting better, head to your doctor for a diagnosis.
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Prescribed Medications For Molluscum Contagiosum
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe the following medications:
- creams that contain iodine and salicylic acid or potassium hydroxide
- trichloroacetic acid
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dont recommend its use in children, as it hasnt been proven effective and can cause severe side effects)
If youre pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or chestfeeding, let your doctor know about your status before taking these medications or any others. For example, podophyllotoxin cream may be safe for people assigned male at birth, but people who are pregnant should avoid it, as its ingredients might be toxic to your fetus.
Antiretroviral therapy is the most effective treatment for people who live with HIV if they contract molluscum contagiosum. It can help strengthen the immune system and fight the virus.
Seek consultation with your doctor before attempting any treatments for molluscum contagiosum.
Skin Tags Are Typically Benign And Painless
Skin tags are fleshy growths of skin that are commonly seen on the neck, armpits, under breasts, and between thighs. They oftentimes appear as people get older.
Massick said skin tags are benign and painless so no treatment is needed for them. She also said that if you have a skin tag that is bothering you, it’s oftentimes possible to have it removed.
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When To Call The Doctor
- The prescribed antihistamine medicine does not relieve the itching.
- The hives or itching becomes worse or new symptoms develop.
- Your child develops hives after being stung by an insect or after taking a new medicine or eating a certain food. He may need an EpiPen® to treat a more serious reaction next time.
HH-I-82 11/89, Revised 11/17, Nationwide Childrens Hospital
Next Steps
A Comprehensive Guide To Shingles On Black Skin: Appearance Diagnosis And More
Shingles is a skin infection caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus in the body. The condition is characterized by a painful maculopapular rash. The shingles rash can vary in color, depending on your skin tone.
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Monkeypox Is Contagious And Can Involve Painful Pus
Monkeypox can lead to a rash that involves red spots that become filled with fluid and pus, infectious disease expert Daniel Bausch, president of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, previously told Insider.
Patients have described monkeypox lesions as being “very painful” at most stages of their development. They can also become itchy during the crusting stage, CDC epidemiologist Andrea McCollum previously told Insider’s Hilary Brueck.
As long as lesions remain on the skin, an individual can spread monkeypox via sores and bodily fluids, Insider has reported.
Early monkeypox symptoms can also be flu-like, including a fever, exhaustion, and body aches, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Whether Your Skin Bump Seems Benign Or Not There Are Many Symptoms That May Signify A More Serious Issue
Though it’s always worth getting your skin checked out by a professional, there are some red flags that a skin bump is potentially a more immediate cause for concern. If you experience any of these, you may want to see a doctor.
Here are some of the most common warning signs that Massick said to be aware of:
- You experience red or pink scaliness that is not related to dry skin
- You have a mole that changes over time
- Certain areas of your skin bleed readily and easily whenever you wash your face or body
- You have a bump that is painful or very tender beyond what you might normally expect from a small abrasion or ingrown hair
- You experience frequent itching in the same area
- An area of your skin just doesn’t seem to heal, for example you have a sore that frequently scabs over and falls off only to scab over again
- You have a bump on your skin that seems to keep getting bigger over time
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Allergic Reactions To Food Or Medicine
Eating a food or medicine you’re allergic to can cause you to break out in hives , an itchy red rash. It can appear as clusters of small, raised red or pink bumps or as larger welts in clusters or on their own, the AAD says.
In most cases, hives can be treated with antihistamines or corticosteroids to calm the reaction. But, in some cases, the swelling associated with hives occurs deeper in the skin, a condition , which can be more dangerous. If you develop angioedema, you may need to use medication like an EpiPen to relieve the reaction quickly or seek medical attention.
For most people, hives go away within a day or so. But some people get hives frequently, a condition called chronic urticaria. To treat that condition, your dermatologist may prescribe other medications.
If you know what caused the reaction, its important to avoid the trigger to avoid future reactions, which can be severe and even life-threatening. But if youre not sure what caused the reaction, you should check in with a dermatologist to figure it out.